The past few days had been long for Zaire.
Lying on his bed, he stared blankly at his phone—
Deactivated accounts:
1.Korri1290...2.Guiseppe_Soros...3.Flevi_Clothing…
"Fuhck, it's been 5 days. I am so soy, lol."
He rustled in his bed, scrolling through reels mindlessly. Not a smile was cracked.
A few minutes later, he was back where he began.
The page showing the deactivated accounts.
"I thought the feeling was mutual, Korri... gah, fuck it!"
His fingers moved rapidly as he typed a message.
He knew he'd probably regret it, but he had to.
Closure would soothe his mind and… hopefully, let him move on.
Hey, I heard from Kristoff. He told me you were overstimulated by our conversation? I'm not sorry about that. The vibe we had was natural… and yeah, hopefully, you'll get back when you relog. Don't die on me bish…
Sending the message, he immediately cringed. Then, he proceeded to do the same thing the person on the other side had done.
He deactivated his own Instagram.
Without missing a beat, he called his friend. The one who clubs.
"Ari, let's hit the club tonight."
"For sure, brother… But weren't you aiming to date a chick?"
"Lol, I blocked her ass. She was weird as shit. That's yesterday's news anyway."
"Aight, dickwad. What was her name again… Korri? I remember that bitch blocking me six months ago when I tried to hit on her… But, motherfucker, wasn't she dancing with you in the chats you showed me… five-ish days ago?"
"Yep! Way too easy. I hate easy chicks, you know me, brother."
"Lol. Anyway, 9 pm. Meet me outside Crystalk."
"Bet."
Zaire looked at his mirror.
Gazing into his own eyes, he felt shame creeping up on him.
"Fuck!"
He had to share all this. This… unexplainable feeling tugging at his heart.
Taking his phone out, he called another person.
His friend Quill. The one he felt safe enough to share his stories with.
Truthfully.
"Wassup, Z."
"Nothing. You know how I was talking about this girl."
"Which one?"
"Korri."
"Yeah, wassup with her?"
"I kinda vibed with her. Mad hard."
"OOO… HE IS IN LOVVEE."
"No, bitch. She went off grid. And, you know, I feel a little pain… but I don't like her or nothing."
"OOO… My boy is in love!"
"Thanks, I needed that…"
"Needed what?"
"Fuck you, scum."
"Wha—"
Hanging up, Zaire chuckled. He found the conversation funny.
He knew he liked this girl. But moping for five days was not it.
He had never really met his match before. His past dates had always been him in a mask, acting like a model person, conforming to meet a woman's standards.
Well, that was also him, but all dressed up.
Korri was different. He was him... his naked self.
He was his turbulent, unhinged, hurt, burdened self. And she resonated with him.
Well, time showed that that was too much.
Overstimulating my ass
Anyway, he would patiently wait for the day she reactivated.
Hopefully, fingers crossed.
He really fucking wanted her beside him.
Until then, he would cope. By being busy.
It was night, and Zaire along with his buddies Kristoff, Olaf, Quill, and a few others were smoking at their usual hangout.
The place was serene, situated in a secluded area near a railway line.
Zaire's mind bugged him to ask Kristoff about Korri, but he restrained himself.
Alas, the grass did its magic, and the question left Zaire's mouth:
"Kris, how was your date today with Danny…"
"Hehehe… man, she is a good girl… Oh, God! I am so thankful and shit, man, to the Lord Almighty—"
"Did she… um… talk about Korri?"
"Huh! Boy, why would I ask her about Korri? Should I?"
"Nah, it's fine… I mean… forget it."
Quill creased his brow. Not able to hold himself, he spilled some beans.
"Kris, this bitch actually likes Korri."
"WHAT!"
Zaire immediately tensed up. But he was Zaire at the end of the day.
He knew well how to switch the flow of conversations. Glaring at Quill, he intervened,
"Nah, he's fucking with you."
"Boy, I tweaked out! Zaire Zontes falling in love. The fuck!"
"Of course not, brother. I mean, I don't want my kill-streak ruined, lol."
"Oh, that's why."
Soon, the heavy roar of a motorbike engine grew closer.
It was Ari on his Triumph, here to take Zaire to the club.
"Baby… I am here!"
On the way to the club, Ari tore through the streets on his motorbike.
Zaire, sitting behind, started to feel… worthless?
Why the fuck am I going to the club… Tck!
"Ari, let's go somewhere else."
"YOU SAY SOMETHING?"
"LET'S GO SOMEWHERE ELSE."
Taken aback, Ari slowed down.
"Why?"
"I don't know. Please, dude. Let's just smoke somewhere on the riverbank or something… I just don't want to socialize."
"Are you on your period, brother?"
"Hahaha… Fuck you. Please, dude… I just want some solace."
"Okay, I guess. You need to tell me why, though! The Zaire I know is not so… neurotic?"
"I just… I don't know. Want to chill?"
Far away on the outskirts, on the summit of an uninhabited little hill, two friends rested, sucking on some reds.
Taking long drags from their cigarettes, they quietly gazed at the stars.
Ari had probed this bizarre behavior of his friend a couple of times. Getting not a single peep in return, he joined in the quiet.
The two close buds lay poised, completely oblivious to the ruckus the city was being put through.